Summer shootings unsolved, gunmen at large

Police say silence from community has delayed justice

One person is dead and three others are recovering from gunshot wounds, weeks after two shootings broke out in New Bern. Police said Wednesday the two unsolved cases will be closed, but silence from the community has delayed justice.

"We are getting some cooperation, but we need a lot more," said Lt. Chandler Powell, a 20 year veteran of the New Bern Police Department. "We have been tirelessly working on all of these shootings."

A gunman disguised with only a white bandana walked into New Bern's Dollar General Store on Neuse Boulevard July 24, shooting both clerks and leaving them for dead. One was shot in the jaw, the other in his side. Both men managed to call 911 and surveillance video was released to the public.

Under the cover of night, Gregory Brimmage, 56, was shot dead in New Bern's Craven Terrace neighborhood Sept. 14. The gunman also shot James Antonio King, 26, who survived his injuries. Powell said the police have changed the ways they operate in the neighborhood, in an effort to help people understand officers are working to improve the community.

"We're not just driving around anymore. We're on foot doing things as simple as striking up friendly conversation," Powell said. "It's all building a rapport with the community which is extremely important."

Police collected significant amounts of physical evidence in both the Dollar General and Craven Terrace shootings. But investigators said they need residents to help piece together the evidence - a difference that could bring both gunmen to justice.

"People sometimes think we can be everywhere and figure it all out, but we can't," Powell said. "It's a partnership."

Tips can be called in anonymously to the New Bern Police department at (252) 636-5034. Investigators said neither case has gone cold.

"We're still getting tips... It's just a matter of us connecting the dots," Powell said.

A murder on Racetrack Road in New Bern March 2 is also unsolved. Police believe the shooting was an isolated incident, a possible drug deal gone bad.

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